Lucy Bannerman of The Times
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MOHAMMED HAMID, 50, ringleader of the group who called himself Osama bin London. Born in 1957 in Tanzania, to Indian Muslim parents, Hamid moved to Britain when he was 5 and lived in the West Yorkshire mill town of Heckmondwike. Moved to London in his teens and fell into a life of petty crime, acquiring convictions for robbery, burglary and cannabis possession on his way to becoming a crack cocaine addict. Married twice with three children, he used a trip to India to cure his drug habit and discovered fundamentalist Islam. Returned to Britain to open an Islamic bookshop and set up a bookstall on Oxford Street, Central London, on his return. Hundreds of men and boys attended Friday night Koran study meetings where he distributed extremist videos and preached jihad.
Hamid was found guilty of three counts of soliciting murder and three counts of providing terrorist training. He was found not guilty of two counts of soliciting murder, one count of providing weapons training and possessing a record containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist.
ATTILA AHMET, 43, born in Britain to a Turkish Cypriot family and was a youth football coach in South London before falling under the spell of Abu Hamza al-Masri. Became a bodyguard to the Muslim cleric and assumed his mantle as outspoken preacher when Abu Hamza was convicted in 2006 for inciting murder and race hate. Told CNN that he loved Osama bin Laden “more than myself”; that Britain “should be” subjected to attack; and that “every sincere Muslim was pleased” by 9/11. The interview undermined any defence Ahmet may have had that there was ambiguity about what police recorded him saying. He admitted three charges of soliciting murder.
Ahmet pleaded guilty to three counts of soliciting to murder. Other charges are to lie on file.
MOHAMMED AL-FIGARI, 42, was born Roger Michael Figari in Trinidad and brought up by his “very religious” grandmothers — one of whom was Hindu and the other Catholic. He first went camping as a Sea Scout. Moved to London in late 1980s, and claims to have studied law and economics at Kilburn Polytechnic before working for the Inland Revenue then becoming a self-employed chauffeur. As a driver he supplied clients with drugs and prostitutes and has convictions for theft, deception, assault and cocaine smuggling. Was working as a hospital clerical officer at the time of his terror arrest.
Al-Figari was found guilty of two counts of attending terrorist training and two counts of possessing a record containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist. He was found not guilty of possessing a record containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist.
KIBLEY DA COSTA, 24, born in Jamaica to a Christian family and moved to London in 1995. Worked as a bus driver until he ran over and killed a pedestrian. Tried to join the Army but was thrown out after two weeks because of “behaviour problems”. From West Norwood, southeast London, he also worked as a parking attendant and a youth volunteer.
Da Costa was found guilty of providing terrorist training, two counts of attending terrorist training and one count of possessing a record containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist.
KADER AHMED, 20, came to Britain as a child refugee from Somalia. Devout parents took him out of state school because they disliked the influence of non-Muslims on their son. Met Hamid when he was 17 and was an excited participant in the camping trips. Nicknamed Mohammed Plaistow, after the area of East London where he lived. Ahmed was training to be an electrician when he was arrested.
Ahmed was found guilty of two counts of attending terrorist training. He was found not guilty on one count of attending terrorist training.
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Emile, Welling -
Propoganda is what he was selling and talking as per the recorded conversations at his house on his phone. Killing the non believers is what he said.
Terrorist training is learning how to kill people with bombs and guns and run away. see failed 21/7 bombing. They were his friends and goffers.
Absolute Rubbish - How Come??
Who to believe - Try believing in the country that feeds you, clothes you, tends you when you are sick, protects your rights.
Rest of the Community do the same - I am guessing you are part of a sub community with the UK. I suggest also if you do not like our form of civilisation you immigrate
John, Highlands, Scotland
They should serve there prison sentences and then be deported but I doubt this will happen in this soft touch country.
Mark B, Derby,
this looks like more propoganda to me , where are the details on the potential murders, and what is terroists training , sitting down learning to make bombs! absolute rubbish , i dont know who or what to beleive anymore and i suggest the rest of the community does the same.
emile , welling,